'Suck it up, be a man, don’t be a baby': Top 11 quotes from Toronto City Council debate about geographic representation

Top quotes from Toronto City Council debate about local representation

An attempt to force Mayor Rob Ford to accept his nemesis Adam Vaughan as the newest member of his executive failed at city council on Wednesday. But, not before a lengthy debate about geographic representation on the powerful committee (which is devoid of anyone from Toronto East York Community Council) and whether it should be filled with politicians who support the mayor’s agenda. In the end, city council appointed Etobicoke North councillor Vince Crisanti to the executive committee, and Speaker Frances Nunziata to the budget committee. The Post’s Natalie Alcoba compiles some of the most memorable quotes from the debate.

• “[The mayor] has the right to make sure he has the dominant voice on that committee. But I think we cross the line when it’s total, absolute exclusion.” — Councillor Joe Mihevc, who put the motion forward to add Councillor Vaughan.

• “This is not about making deals, this is about moving the city in the direction I was elected to move it. That is to get our financial house in shape. And that’s what we are doing. And unfortunately, Councillor Vaughan, we have a different philosophy in politics. That’s fine. To each his own. I know for a fact he would be disruptive in our committee and I need to move the agenda forward.” — Mayor Rob Ford

• “Is there anybody on Toronto East York Community Council that isn’t a tax and spend lefty?” — Councillor John Filion to mayor. (“No,” the mayor responds, and laughs).

• “Why would you want someone on the executive that continually bashes the mayor’s agenda? That is stupid.” — Councillor Frances Nunziata

I feel like I’m back home with my bickering teenagers

• “For those of us that had to suck it up, my advice to you is: Suck it up. Be a man. Don’t be a baby.” — Councillor Mike Del Grande on what being an outsider in the Miller administration taught him.

• “They want to politically kill [the mayor]. No matter what you do to work with these folks, they refuse to work with you. You could say the sky is blue, they’ll say the sky is black. Even if it’s blue.” — Councillor Doug Ford

• “By the way, uploading [services to province] is an illusion. The cavalry isn’t going to come and help us out.” — Councillor Frank Di Giorgio on the legacy of amalgamation (same debate)

• “Mayor Ford has a large mandate from the city of Toronto residents and taxpayers. And it’s an agenda he’s going to pursue, he’s going to live or die on that agenda. At the next election the public can decide if they like it.” — Councillor Doug Holyday